Do you want to know what taking the English Language Arts portion of the NJSLA is like? Practice tests for each grade level of the assessment are available below for you to use to familiarize yourself with the kinds of items and format used for the test.
Please select your grade level to view practice tests.
- The practice test platforms have a default login of "Guest," however, users can choose to enter a name when they begin. This is for the teacher’s reference when printing reports at the end of the scorable practice tests. This information is not captured or maintained in the system. Teachers can assign numerical values to each student as a log in, if it is preferred.
- Paper practice tests can be printed. The material on these tests is non-secure.
- ELA non-secure practice tests that are accessible through the NJSLA Resource Center or within the TestNav application login screen will show three sections/units instead of two. This was done to provide students ample number of questions to practice with all ELA task types. The ELA live and secure practice tests will only contain two units (unless your organization was selected to participate in a field test which will have three units).
Notes about scoring:
- All of the Computer-Based Practice Tests have scoring capability built into the tool. Additionally, New Jersey has provided answer keys and rubrics for educators for all of the practice tests.
- The NJSLA-ELA include one prose constructed response item for each of the tasks that appears on the Performance-Based Assessment component. Teachers can reference the scoring rubrics as they review the three prose constructed responses.
ELA Writing Rubrics Grades 3-High School
This practice test set contains: Unit 1: Literary Analysis Task (LAT), Unit 2: Research Simulation Task (RST), and Unit 3: Narrative Writing Task (NWT).
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 1: Literary Analysis Task (LAT)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 2: Research Simulation Task (RST)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 3: Narrative Writing Task (NWT)
Paper-Based Practice Tests (all units)
This set contains all three tasks, the Narrative Writing Task, the Research Task, and the Literary Analysis Task.
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 1: Literary Analysis Task (LAT)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 2: Research Simulation Task (RST)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 3: Narrative Writing Task (NWT)
Paper-Based Practice Tests (all units)
This set contains all three tasks, the Narrative Writing Task, the Research Task, and the Literary Analysis Task.
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 1: Literary Analysis Task (LAT)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 2: Research Simulation Task (RST)
Paper-Based Practice Tests (all units)
This set contains all three tasks, the Narrative Writing Task, the Research Task, and the Literary Analysis Task.
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 1: Literary Analysis Task (LAT)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 2: Research Simulation Task (RST)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 3: Narrative Writing Task (NWT)
Paper-Based Practice Tests (all units)
This set contains all three tasks, the Narrative Writing Task, the Research Task, and the Literary Analysis Task.
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 1: Literary Analysis Task (LAT)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 2: Research Simulation Task (RST)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 3: Narrative Writing Task (NWT)
Paper-Based Practice Tests (all units)
This set contains all three tasks, the Narrative Writing Task, the Research Task, and the Literary Analysis Task.
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 1: Literary Analysis Task (LAT)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 2: Research Simulation Task (RST)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 3: Narrative Writing Task (NWT)
Paper-Based Practice Tests (all units)
This set contains the Narrative Writing Task and the Research Task. The Literary Analysis Task is currently not available due to pending permissions. The task will be added as permissions are granted.
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 1: Literary Analysis Task (LAT)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 2: Research Simulation Task (RST)
Computer-Based Practice Test Unit 3: Narrative Writing Task (NWT)
Paper-Based Practice Tests (all units)
Information on Accessibility Features
- The full list of accessibility features embedded for all students and accessibility features that need to be identified in advance can be found in the NJ Accessibility Features and Accommodations Manual.
- Answer masking, color contrast (background/font color) are available for all participating students who need these tools, but need to be identified in advance via the Personal Needs Profile (PNP).
Information for Accommodated Versions
Text-to-speech for ELA is available to students that have the accommodation documented in their IEP or 504 plan and needs to be identified in advance via the Personal Needs Profile (PNP).
Screen Reader
- Update Beginning Spring 2017
The Multiple Choice (Radio Button) interaction for Screen Reader users has been updated.
The interaction has been updated to a more common design that aligns to the standard interaction used by screen reader users. Now, when students navigate into a multiple choice field, the radio button given focus by the Screen Reader will automatically be selected. Students can use the space bar to remove the selection.
Students who use a screen reader should practice with the updated multiple choice interactions prior to the operational assessment this spring to become familiar with the updated interaction.
- Compatibility
A screen reader is a software application, separate from text-to-speech embedded in TestNav, which conveys web content through audio. Screen readers are appropriate for students who are trained to use the software and who use it in the classroom, including those who are blind or have a visual impairment.
Pearson’s test platform is being programmed to comply with the World Wide Web Consortium’s (W3C) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0, Level AA. We are also utilizing the W3C’s Accessible Rich Internet Application (ARIA) recommendation to improve the interaction between assistive technology and assessment content.
For optimal compatibility with our testing platform, assistive technology products should comply with the User Agent Accessibility Guidelines (UAAG) and support the ARIA recommendation.
Large Print
- To print Large Print Paper Practice Tests to the optimal enlargement of 150% to 18 point font, they must be printed on 14" x 18" paper. Do not use print scaling or fit-to-page in your printer settings.
- Large Print Paper Practice Tests can also be printed on 11" x 17" paper by adjusting print scaling to less than 100% or by selecting fit-to-page in your printer settings.
Braille
- Guidance for Duxbury Users:
Open the file in Duxbury. If you receive a Page Depth Exceeded error, follow these steps:
- Open DBT.
- Go to the Global menu and Embosser Setup. Change the form size to wide with 11” paper or 11.5 x 11 inch paper if using 11.2sr4.
- Go to the Global menu and go to "Formatted Braille Importer."
- Check the checkbox labeled "Read formatted braille without interpretation" and activate the OK button. It is the only checkbox in this menu.
- Open the file.
- Review the screen prior to embossing.
- Emboss the file.